The Goa Legislative Assembly witnessed unprecedented scenes as Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar's decision to disallow a private members' resolution on the Manipur violence caused uproar among the opposition parties. The resolution, brought forward by AAP MLA Cruz Silva during the ongoing Monsoon session, sought a discussion on the sensitive issue within the assembly.
Speaker Tawadkar defended his ruling by highlighting the ongoing efforts of the Manipur government and the Union Home Ministry in addressing the situation. This explanation, however, failed to pacify members from the Congress, AAP, Goa Forward Party (GFP), and Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), who vehemently opposed his stance, as reported by PTI.
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Chief Minister Pramod Sawant supported the speaker's decision, pointing out that the Manipur High Court and the Supreme Court were already actively involved in the matter. He praised the unified approach of all political parties in collaborating with the central government to ensure peace, security, and development in Manipur. The chief minister emphasized that the people of Goa were already in support of unity and prosperity for Manipur, criticizing the opposition's attempts as a "cheap publicity stunt."
Despite the disapproval from the speaker, the opposition persisted and attempted to raise the issue again during the post-lunch session. Speaker Tawadkar urged them to refrain from disturbing the peace and harmony of the state.
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The Manipur violence, which commenced on May 3, has resulted in a tragic loss of over 160 lives, with many others sustaining injuries. The violence erupted during a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organized in opposition to the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meiteis constitute approximately 53 per cent of Manipur's population, primarily residing in the Imphal valley, while the tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, account for around 40 per cent and predominantly inhabit the hill districts.
